Writing a well structured speech
If you are new to writing a speech or crafting a speech, then it can be overwhelming. There are many techniques, structures, and secrets in writing a speech / crafting a speech. When you google it, you will find complex answers and you will feel like a kid who is lost in a Disneyland. Even though the concepts are good, It would be challenging to apply them. Rather, you wouldn’t know how to apply them, and you won’t enjoy the process of writing or crafting a speech.
You don’t have to worry we will guide you with practical tips. The techniques, which we have mentioned are tried and tested. These are not textbook answers. It can be applied instantly to your speech to dazzle your audience. Without any further delay let’s start the process.
Process of writing a well-structured speech
Preparatory step
1) Clarity
● Audience centric
Always remember one universal fact and never forget it. Your speech should be audience-centric. i.e. after listening to your speech, your audience should be benefitted in one or the other way. It might be taking an action in their life, a motivational message, an informative speech, or storytelling which will give them a different perspective. Always speak to express not impress. If you are writing a speech trying to highlight only your achievements and not about how your audience can also achieve or learn from your story, then your impact will be limited.
● Know your audience
Research your audience or where you are delivering your speech. If you are going to a stand-up comedy event and deliver an informative speech about “How to save a planet”, No matter how great your speech is, your audience will dislike you for ruining their evening. It’s not because your speech was wrong, it’s because your target audience was wrong.
It is like dating, imagine you are on a date and you are talking about something which the other person is not interested in. You know the outcome right?
Ask these questions before you start writing a speech or perhaps dating
1. What is the theme of the event?
Social gathering, leadership, business, etc
2. What might be the expectation of the audience or what they would want to listen about?
Example:
The audience has come to relax and have a good time.
The audience is hungry for information, ideas, and concepts.
You need not know in detail; just an idea is good enough.
2) Message
Your message should be crystal clear. If your speech timing is between, 5 to 7 minutes make sure you are focusing only on 1 message or a maximum of 2. It’s always tending for a speaker to give out a lot of information or message to the audience, hoping that it will make an impact and you as a speaker will fall into this trap. Less is more.
If your speech or presentation timing is 20 minutes, a maximum of 4 or 5 points you need to cover.
Don’t overburden them with information. Less is more.
Once you get the clarity of the preparatory step you can move ahead to the next step.
Structure
Why structure of speech is important?
Now you are ready to write your speech.
To write down a speech you should know the structure of speech writing.
Imagine you are watching the Titanic movie. First scene you see Jack dying. Second scene Jack and Rose are standing on the edge of a ship spreading their hands. Third scene Superman punched Hulk so hard, he went flying and Taylor Swift saved him.
Now you are confused, right? Similarly, a speech without a structure will confuse the audience.
The structure of a speech helps you to be organized, gives the right flow for your speech, eliminates unwanted information, and helps you to create an everlasting impact on the audience. Most importantly it will give you, as a speaker, clarity.
What is the most common structure which international speakers use in their keynote speeches?
Most of the speakers use the below structure. This structure can be implemented in all the formats of speeches. It might be a business speech, raising a toast, storytelling, sermons, etc
Structure of speech
Your speech should be divided into 3 segments
1. Opening ( Introduction)
● Introduction or brief explanation of the topic.
● If you are addressing a problem, you can mention the problem statement.
2. Body ( Main message)
This is the crux of your speech. Here you will be talking in detail about your topic. If you are giving a motivational speech or a business speech, make sure you won’t bombard the audience with information. Less is more. (Yes, we are repeating it again so that it imprints in your mind). And then, segregate the points carefully and strategically.
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Don’t go back and forth between the points. Make sure you explain points in detail and then move toward the next.
In storytelling follow the flow of your story.
3. Conclusion ( Takeaway or summary )
● A call to action, to make a decision
● Summarise what you said.
In the conclusion section avoid using “You” instead use words that include audience like “we” and “Us”
Example:
It’s your duty to save your planet. You should be aware of what you are doing.
Instead of this, you can say
It’s our duty to save our planet. We should be aware of what we are doing.
Try to use the words which include you and your audience. The moment you use “YOU” it sounds like you are ordering your audience and no one likes to be ordered.
Declaration:
Place your index finger on your forehead and say “I am a confident and powerful speaker.”
